LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Post, Volume LXII, Issue 77, 27 September 1901, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In the Legislative Council yesterday tho Charitable Gifts Bill and tho Trust Act Amendment Bill were read a second time. Tho exportation of Arms Bill and Promissory Oaths Bill were put through final stages. In the House of Representatives interesting discussions took place on tho Estimates and on tho grant proposed to be made to the Governor in payment of expenses incurred by him in connection with the Royal visit. Tho Mayor of Wellington has received a cablegram from the Town Clerk (Mr. J. E. Page), who is now- in London, stating that tho appointment of an electrical engineer for tho Wellington city" tramways has been made, and that particulars regarding the selection are being sent by mall. The crops in the Masterton district are (says the Star) looking exceedingly well just now. There is no truth in* the statement which has been circulated that the crops are being destroyed wholesale by the grub. The grub exists largely in the imagination. Tho Town- Hall plans are in course of preparation — so the Mayor informed tho City Council last night. "We were told j that weeks ago," replied Councillor Godber, who expressed anxiety to see the completion of the plans. The Mayor said' they would 'be ready all .in good time. The novelty of a Boardsman condemning his own Board was experienced at the meeting of the Employers' Association last night. Mr. H. Field, vrhp, with Mr. Flockton, represents the employing interests on the Conciliation' Board, said, during .a criticism of tho Conciliation and Arbitration Act — "As you know, Conciliation Boards ,do nor conciliate. Very rarely is a dispute settled by a Board." This sentiment was greeted with a chorus of "Hears.* The Wellington tramway stables are to bo connected with tho fire alarm ser"vice at the Newtown Fire Brigade Station. It is intended to close the reserve" at the top of Nairn-street for two years, in order that it may bo ploughed, grassed, planted, and generally put in order. A meeting of the' Athletic Park Company was held yesterday afternoon, when a dividend of five per cent, on the paidup capital was declared. This week's Gazette contains the proclamation empowering the Wellington City Council to take certain properties* for the extension of Elizabeth-street. The City Council has decided to dis* agree with the recommendations of the Conciliation Board as to the dispute with the Farriers' Union. "I believe that the Government, just the same as private employers, should be brought under the provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act."— Councillor M'Laren. An entrance exhibition o*f £20 per annum for two years for tho degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering will be offered for competition in December next by Canterbury College. Some of the conditions are advertised. Herr Paul yon Buri has been appointed German Consul-Goneral for Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. He will reside in Sydney. Mr. Arthur M. Myers has been empowered to act as Consul for Siberia at Auckland. A penalty up to £20 hns boen fixed by tho Government as the liability which unauthorised persons incur in taking a vessel with passengers or goods alongside or in tho vicinity of a wharf used in connection with defence works. Intending',; residents of Day's Bay should note.ijhat jtiie Ferry Company is starting a daily service to the Bay for the summer' months, beginning about the Ist October. Consideration of the question of confirming the resolution passed by the City Council on the 22nd ultimo, adopting the Consolidated Bylaw, 1900, Amendment Bylaw, 1901, has been adjourned for three weeks. Constable James Bree has been appointed to Olerk of the Magistrate's, Court at Taihape; Constable G. Hastie to bo a Licensing Officer under the Arms Act ; Mr. J. "Wood to be Deputy Registrar and Deputy-Examiner of Titles for Otago ; and Mr. A. V. Shirtevan to be Deputy-Registrar of Deeds for Otago. In the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon, Walter Guy, charged with wife desertion, was remanded to Christchuroh. In the cose of A. G. Tame v. C. Nees and Son, a claim of £4 as commission on the sale of an engine, his Worship reserved judgment till Tuesday. In the case of the Commercial Agency v. G. Bradley, a claim of £23 9s lOd upon an assigned debt, judgment was given for defendant. The Progressive Municipal Association's resolution expressing approval of tho scheme for the purchase of Miramar was laid before the City Council last night, and it was decided to thank the Association for its support. A. red flag will be flown from the Post Office tower at noon to-morrow, and club flags from the boatsheds, if the weather is considered suitable for the opening of the boating season. At the conclusion of the procession there will bo a race for eight four-oared boats — I four from each of tho city clubs. The Parliamentary crew in the procession will consist of Lieut. -Col. Pitt, Messrs. Herries, Rhodes, Monk, J. Allen, and J. Hutcheson (steer-oar). If the water is not too rough the Governor and Lady Ranfurly will be on the Ellen Ballance, which v to head the procession. The captain and officers of the Mildura have been invited to attend the ceremony. A young man named Thomas Andrew Conn, recently arrested in Auckland, was charged at the Magistrate's Court to-day with having on or about the sth July, 1900, at Lyttelton, stolen £70 of the money of the Bank of New Zealand. On the application of Inspector Pender, accused was remanded to Monday next, upon his own recognisance of £100. Mr. Dtilziel, on behalf of the Bank of New Zealand, intimated that he did not intend to offer any evidence. At every contest and exhibition of value Boomerang Brandy has won first honours. It haa no rival, but stands supreme. — Advt.

Tho Marine Department is investigating a question rimed through the finding on Saturday last by Mr. B. Blake, while fishing at Pig Island, Queen Charlotte Hound, of a medicine bottle containing a paper (apparently torn out of a memorandum book), on which the following is written : —"Thrown overboard from the Corunna. Been struck by a heavy sea and four we may founder. Had fearful experience for three Aveeks. All the crew on short rations, and very little hope of getting away, lat. 47.21, long. 39.16. We hope for assistance. — W. M. Smith, Master. 17th Sept. 1899." There uro two vessels named tho Corunna, one a ship and the other a steamerr but neither is known to be missing. The bearings are givon in a slipshod fashion that a nautical man would hardly be guilty of, but assuming the latitude to c south, then the longitude would indicate a position either in the South Atlantic or the Indian Ocean. There is every appearance of the "message" being ono of those idiotic hoaxes that seem to give satisfaction to persons of a particular bent of mind. A theory which has been widely discussed is thus disposed of by Dr. Martin, Medical Health Officer for the city, in a letter to the City Council :—" With reference to the introduction of epidemics through the medium of the, returned troopers, I think that in the cases of influenza and measles the statement is incapable of scientific proof; and in the oaso of malarial infection, insomuch that a particular species of mosquito is necessary for its propagation (which I am glad to say we do not possess), I do not think that any of the present spidemios can be ascribed to such a cause as the landing of the returned troopers." Here is a suggestion for those who are arranging the procession of boats in connection with the opeung of the boating season to-morrow. The celebrated,. Dolly Varden crew— Messrs. Smith, M'Grath, Hearn, and Taylor — are at present in, Wellington, and are quite willing, notwithstanding the time which has elapsed since they feathered a pair of sculls, to take their places in a boat and lead the procession. The adoption of the suggestion would add 'considerable interest to the display. The heavy rain of Wednesday night caused the flooding of part of the premises of the Wairarapa Farmers' Co-operative Association on the ground floor of Mr. Jacob Josepu's five ; story building on Lambton-quay. The rain found its way in through the portion of the building that has not been re-roofed since the late fire. The damage was practically confined to the ironmongery department. There will be a sitting of the Native Land Court at Levin on the Bth October. The City Council resolved last night to join the Harbour Board and the Molrose Borough Council in a conference with .regard to taking action to secure the reservation for the public of the strip of land at the head of Evans Bay, which the Messrs. Crawford, to whom it belongs, are seeking to bring under the Land Transfer Act, with the view, it is understood, of cutting it into sections suitable for the erection of seaside residences. The suggestion is that a deputation be sent to tho Premier with the object of getting legislative power for some local body to acquire the land for recreation purposes. Amongst tho movements of the age for the religious development of the young is that of tho Church Lads' Brigade, which was started in 1891 and now numbers some 2000 companies, several of which are in New Zealand. In our own city there are two— one at St. Paul's and one at St. Mark's. The method of work is military for tho purposes of discipline. Competitions take place between tho various squads and badges are hold quarterly by the winning squad. Tho first quarterly competition of the St. Mark's company has just been completed, and the badges for which will be distributed at to - night's parade. The movement is designed to capture lads leaving school, ana by religious, educational and i-ccreative agencioß to prevent them falling into evil courses. A proposal was made by Councillor" M'Laren to the City Council last night to set up an Industrial Affairs Committee, whose functions would be to en« deavom* to effect a speedy settlement of any difference arising between the Corporation and any section of its employees. The proposer considered that such a committee would avert the necessity for appearances before the Conciliation Board, and consequently save both time and money of the Corporation and the unions. Councillor Evans supported tho motion. Councillors Smith and Devine depnecivted anticipating trouble with Corporation employees, and the motion, after some discussion, was lost on the voices. Amended regulations under the New Zealand State Forests Act, 1885, in regard to payment of timber royalties, are gazetted, and coma into operation at once. Tho collection of the agricultural and pastoral statistics of the colony is to b£ made between 14th October and 9th November next. The following Stock Inspectors will act as ennumerators for the districts named : — Mr. John Drummond, for the Hutt County; Mr. G. H. Jenkinson, for the counties of Pahiatua, Mauriceville, Masterton, Castlepoint, Eketahuna, Akitio, and Wairarapa South ; and Mr. A. K. Blundell for the various' counties in the Taranaki, Wanganui,. and Manawatu districts. Recently the Trades Council decided to take advantage of Labour Day demonstration on the Basin Reserve to- reply to those who had criticised the working of our Labour laws, A letter was therefore written to the Eight Hours Union asking it to find a place on its programme for speakers from the Council. At last nights meeting of the Council a letter was received from the union in which the latter stated that it could not accede to the Council's request. Thereupon it was decided that after the coming demonstration the Council recommend affiliated unions to secede from the Eight Hours Union with the object of the Trades and Labour Council organising the annual Labour Day demonstration. An auctioneering license has been granted by the City Council to Mr. Chas. Enticott. ' The question of restoring the privilege formerly enjoyed by anglers of fishing for trout in the Karori Reservoir was discussod by the City Council last night. Councillor Barber moved that permission to fish in tho reservoir for the coming season should be granted to adults on condition that the licenses were endorsed by the Town Clerk, and that each angler paid a fee of 2s 6d. Councillor Qodber seconded the motion, which was carried almost unanimously. A fire station for Thorndon is to be established on a piece of land in Pipitea street which the Hospital Trustees nave leased to the City Council at £35 per annum. Some buildings at present erected on the allotment are to be repaired, at an estimated cost of £78. Bedsteads are being sold at altered prices tit Kirkcaldie and Stains, Limited. You cannot get better value than the single bedsteads at 18a 6d or the double bedstead* at 37» 6d anywhere.— Advt.

Dr. Mason, Chief Health Officer for the colony, goes North to-morrow, and will be absent for a week or two. It is understood that -»' the Mayor of Wellington has 'declined the honour of presiding over the somewftat novel form of euquiry to be instituted by tho Wellington Education Board wnh regard to its chief inspector, whom it has already dismissed, the Hon. C. C. Bowen, M. L. C. , is to be asked to accept the ornamental position of Chairman of the proceedings. Tlio officers of the Public Health Do" partmenf will in future conduct the examination of returned troopers, instead of tho Medical Board that formerly acted. The whole of the troopers who returned by the Waihora were examined yesterday. Indications were given at last night's meeting that the Employers' Association had greatly, increasjed in membership since the annual meeting in May lost. In answer to enquiries, the Secretary (Mr. Levi) said there had been an increase during the pernd named of from 80 to 90 members, th« total being now about 200. On the motion of the President (Mr. A. Veitch), the Association decided to register under the Unclassified Societies Act of 1895. Asked why this step should be taken, the President replied — " Because then the association, will be somebody; now we are only a collection of individuals." Mr. Levi also explained tha legal aspect of registration. The Federated Eight Hours Procession Committee met last night. Donations were promised from a number of master bakors. The carriers signified their intention of taking part in the procession. It was decided to recommend to the General Committee that inmates of benevolent institutions be admitted free to the Basin Beserve on Labour Day. Mr. Willis was elected treasurer -of the Procession Committee. i An alleged attempt to commit theft was charged against a wharf labourer named Daniel M'Gilvary at the Magistrate's Court to-day. Accused, for whom Mr. Cooper appeared, pleaded not guilty. It appeared that on Saturday night he, with others, was engaged putting cases of cargo from the steamer Burrumbeet into the " O " shed on Jorvois-quay. One of the witnesses saw accused apparently ransacking a case of haberdashery. On being questi6ned as to what he was doing he replied that he was repairing the case. He was not seen to take anything out of the cose, and two Harbour Board employees stated that they had known accused for a number of years, and had no reason to suspect his honesty. Mr. Cooper, for the defence, submitted that there was nothing against the accused in the evidence. Accused bore a good character, and all he had to do with the case of goods in question was that, seeing it broken when it came into the shed, he examined it with a view of effecting repairs. Accused sent a- man to get a hammer and nails to repair it. Mr. Cooper said he would call evidence to this effect, but Mr. Haselden, S.M., remarked that it was not necessary, as the alleged offence had not been anything like proved. He had no hesitation in dismissing the information. • * Pour valuable additions to the collection of black-and-white work at the Technical School have been received by the Director (Mr. A. D. Riley) from the proprietors of the Illustrated London News. One depicts, in H. C. Sepping Wright's best style, a winter seene — sledging on tho ice. In another Allan Stewart pictures a march past of a party of out* 'Imndy men." The third drawing is reminiscent of the Eastern troubles of 1897, being* one of R. Caton Woodville's Albanian scenes, a quartet of mountaineers giving every token of a lively fray. New Zoalanders will be particularly interested in the fourth picture — a pantomime seene — because the artist, S. Begg, came from Napier. Mr. Begg won fame with his pencil in the colonies before leaving for London, where for many years ho has been in the first flight of black-and-white artists. A further adjournment (to the 4th October) was granted by the Stipendiary | Magistrate to-day in the case in which . Annie Drake and Thomas M'Govern (arrested at Auckland) are charged with theft of certain furniture. The information was laid by the husband of one of the accused. In mentioning the case to-day Mr. Skerrett, for the accused, said it was a question whether a wife could be deemed guilty of larceny of household furniture alleged to be her husband's property. It would also be for the Court to consider whether the wife had not at least a reasonable claim of right to the furniture. The case stands adjourned in order that a certain witness may be brought to Wellington.An exhibition of Mj. C. O. Michel's patent fire escape was given at Mr. W. G. Tustin's business premises this morning. The contrivance is simple in construction and should be economical in cost. The escape shown this morning by tho inventor was made of Eteel and wood, was about 16ft in length, and closed up, when not in use, into a space of less than 2ft. Each step had projections to be used as handles by the person making an escape. It was agreed that the invention, which can be conveniently carried about, was one of the simplest and most effective yet exhibited. The weekly meeting of the Trades Council was held last night, Mr. Naughton (President) being in thc< chair. The Employers' Association wrole fixing Friday, 4th prox., as the date for the proposed conference. The matter was referred to the executive. A letter was received from a member cf the Bootmakers' Union drawing attention to an extraordinary story, emanating from Pahiatua, which appeared ,m tne Wellington morning paper, respecting, the misfortunes under the Compensation for Accidents Act of one Andrew Jackson, said to be a member of the Bootmakers' Union. Tho whole story had been proved to be a complete fabrication. No such man as Andrew Jackson was or ever had been a member of the union, nor had any man ever approached the Trades Council under any of the circumstances set forth in the story. The Executive Committee reported that the Federal Theatre had been engaged, for next Thursday's meeting, when the Council will reply to recent criticisms upon Labour legislation. The speakers at the meeting will be Messrs. Naughton (the Chairman), A. H. Cooper, D. M'Laren, and John Brown. The half-yearly bal-ance-sheet was presented, and showed a credit balance of £35, with £100 excess of assets over liabilities. The Eight Hours Procession on Labour Day will march from Feath'erston-street round the Government Buildings into /Lambton-quay, and thence to the Basin Reserve via Willis, Manners, Cuba, Vivian, Tory, and Buckle streets. The City Council has approved the route, and has agreed to stop all vehicular traffic in the streets named while the prooession is passing along. Steps are being taken to form a MaBonic Lodge at Newtovrn, A meeting of those interested is to be convened for next week. The public are to be caught by the ears as one takes a pot by the handles', but they are not to be sold over butter. It is Black Swan Butter every time, because it is fresh and good.— Advt.

It is pleasing to record the success of another young New Zealander in the Ol<t Country. Miss Frances Hodgkins, of Dunedin, who, like her sister, Mrs. W. H. Field, has for some time past been in the front rank of New Zealand artißts, ■went to England early this year for the purpose of studying drawing under English masters. After a course under Mr. Burroughes Johnson, famous for his exquisite pencil work, Miss Hodgkins joined tlie class of Mr. Norman Garstin, the well-known English artist, in O&ux de Bee, France, where she still is. Mr. Qarstin. wasv so struck with the originality, strength, and colour of her work, that he declined to accept payment of fees, preferring to regard her as a fellow artist. In colour, he states, she has nothing to learn, and he predicts a brilliant future for her. Under Mr. Garstin's advice, Miss Hodgkins will work in Spain and Northern Italy during the winter, then at Newlynn in the spring, after wards taking & studio in London. Mis* Hodgkins's companion in her work is another talonted New Zealand lady artist. Miss Dorothy Richmond. The two ladies are travelling and working together. All wool underwear at Kirkcaldie and Stains, Limited. Ladies' combinations natural and pink, summer weight, 6s 11s, worth 9s 6d. Men's Bummer weight undervests and drawers 6s lid, worth 8s 6d.— Advt. You know the old story. (How good it reads. But just try Defiance Butter. It is made from selected cream only. Simply delicious.— Advt. Three coats enamel baked on and bright parts nickel-plated on copper— 308. Make your bicycle look like new. We show samples.— Oates, Lowry and Co., Cuba-street. — Advt. No one will object to receive a good suit made to measure at a low prioe. It is fully recognised that it is folly to pay £5 10s for a suit when you can buy a good all wool tweed suit from O. Smith, made to measure and finished in fint-olau stylo, for 37s 6d. This is a fact worth knowiug, and you are asked to see the twoede by the yard or send for patterns and self-measuroment form. Call personally if you can, and you will receive every attention without being pressed to buy. — Advt. There is another suit that C. Smith wishes to impress on your memory— that is, the navy vicuna suit mode to measure, at 47b 6d ; also the indigo serge suit, made from serge guaranteed No. 4 and stamped every two yards, at 60s. — Advt.i Boys' clothing made to fit at prices very little above our ordinary stock goods.— Advt. Mr. A. Lindsay advertises special lines that he must clear to-morrow at low prices to make room for 1 new shipments coming in every day at his boot emporiums, Lamb-ton-quay and Cuba-street. Moedrs. Sidey and 00. will sell at their rooms, Manners-street, at 2 p.m. to-mor-row, household furniture and general drapery. Mr. Joh. E. Lindberg, the cheap draper, right aide of Cuba-street, announces a shipment of new goods, ex s.t. Maori, to be offered very cheap to-morrow. Messrs. E. J. Walsh and Co. call attention to the show of French silk cottons in their window. They claim that there ! is nothing to equal these goods in the colony. The freight-rate of the Now Zealand Shipping Company upon shpe wool was misprinted in an advertisement in yesterday s issue. It Bhould' be 7-16 d per lb. Housekeepers about to furnish or start their sprinif cleaning will be interested in tho furnishing advertisement of Georgo Winder, Manners-street. He notifies that a large stock of all furnishings i» now on display. Wade's Teething Powders for babies are soothing, reduce fever and prevent blotches. Price, Is.— Advt.